The Dirty
Playbook.
Documentary Film In Production
Most people are familiar with the devastating tolls that fossil fuel production has had on our planet. However, many are completely unaware of how these corporations are utilizing the justice system to silence free speech and the right to protest.
Read the full documentary pitch here
The Lawsuit in Question
This is a fascinating story of how S.L.A.P.P lawsuits (strategic lawsuits against public participation) and the abuse of our American justice system threatens indigenous sovereignty and the climate movement. This film will begin with coverage of the Energy Transfer Partners v. Greenpeace Lawsuit that took place in Mandan, North Dakota in March of 2025. The lawsuit ended with a verdict of $660 million against Greenpeace for their minor role as an ally in the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline Protests. Energy Transfer argued that "the violent and destructive" elements of the protest were caused by Greenpeace's involvement. Greenpeace argued that they played a minor role supporting a native led movement to oppose the Dakota Access Pipeline's construction on their ancestral treaty lands. We had the privilege of interviewing locals, Greenpeace staff, trial monitors and indigenous members of the Standing Rock Sioux and the Sicangu Lakota.
Why Is This Important?
To the right is an image that became burned into our head when driving home to Brooklyn after filming for ten days in Mandan, North Dakota; the intersectionality of the climate movement, indigenous treaty rights, and energy companies. After speaking to locals, Greenpeace staff, indigenous peoples of the Standing Rock Sioux and the Sicangu Lakota, it became clear to us that there are key issues that climate advocates and indigenous people share; the preservation and restoration of the air, water, and land. 'Big Oil', American energy companies, and frankly all extraction-based industries have a history and current agenda to maximize short-term profits over long term sustainability. Jennifer Martel, an active member of the Standing Rock Sioux, connected us with so many people who have become the bedrock of this film. Our team has been educated on the native perspective of seven generations; constantly remembering the people who've come before you and the people who will come after you. Native American's are all too familiar with the illegal ways people have taken their land for exploitation in the past and know the brutal implications for defending their resources. This film seeks to educate people on the history of Native Americans in the Dakotas in order to inform us on contemporary injustices.
Goals and Next Steps
1. Fundraising: The Dirty Playbook is not connected with a distributor at this time and is seeking funding through grants and private donations. This films intention is to have an impact on S.L.A.P.P harassment awareness, legislation, and future environmental protesting. It's important that this project is seen by as many people as possible; whether it's a streaming platform or screenings around the United States. Please contact connect@xandertillou.com if you have an interest in supporting the films production in any capacity!
2. Expanding the Scope: This film is primarily covering the lawsuit between Energy Transfer and Greenpeace that took place in North Dakota this year, along with events that occurred at Standing Rock in 2016. However, this dirty playbook is used prolifically by Big Oil corporations in plenty of other circumstances. There is incredible potential to cover some of these stories in this film or feature them in accompanying documentary series. If you are interested and/or are knowledgeable about other abuses of our legal system that threatens the climate movement, please share.
3. Finding Solidarity: At the core of this film is a message of solidarity, reflecting the solidarity that occurred between native and non-native people when protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. This intersectionality between the climate movement and indigenous peoples could be the key to a societal realignment where the environment is seen as sacred, not a resource to be exploited beyond repair. Xander Tillou and the people working on The Dirty Playbook want to establish connections with anyone who was at Standing Rock, individuals involved in environmental activism, or simply people who want to defend against corporations rampant abuse of the legal system.
Make a donation to the production
Any and every donation to this project will allow us to expand this project and have a larger impact. The goal is to ignite public conversation and understanding of how corporations abuse our legal system to silence dissent. Any level of contribution will lead your name to be in the credits.
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